Blog Category: Minority business exports

At the Department of Commerce and the Minority Business
Development Agency we are dedicated to helping more minority-owned business
leverage their competitive advantage and expand their business through exports.
The most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals how minority-owned
firms employ nearly six million American workers and contribute one trillion
dollars in annual economic output to the U.S. economy. This economic output
includes significant exporting contributions. In fact, minority-owned firms are
export leaders in 14 key industry sectors.

To celebrate World Trade Month we are kicking
off a blog series to highlight valuable resources and information for minority
businesses looking at exporting for the first time and firms looking to expand
their existing exporting efforts.

Develop your Export Business Plan: Use the SBA Export Business Planner
to work through the process of gathering information and setting SMART goals
and objectives. The Export Business Planner will help your business explore
exporting options.

Conduct Market Research: It is critical for you to
find the best exporting prospects for your business success. The U.S.
government has the latest information on market conditions
around the world. You can also use the Trade Stats Express to
identify potential markets.

Find Buyers: Leverage opportunities at the local,
state, and federal government levels to meet potential foreign buyers. Use reverse trade mission hosted by the U.S.
Trade and Development Agency or overseas trade
mission hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Many states government
also host overseas trade missions check out your states business opportunities
websites.

Take your business to the next level and begin to go and
grow globally. MBDA and our national network of more than 40 MBDA Business Centers are
here to help. Contact a MBDA
Business Center to learn more about how exporting can increase your bottom
line.

Also,
stay tuned to learn more about the next phase of the National Export Initiative
–NEI/NEXT!